Ireland is becoming a data center hot spot for many reasons, and renewable energy is being used to satisfy the heightened energy demand.
Tech giants Amazon and Microsoft both have facilities in Dublin, with Microsoft’s being one of the largest in Europe. Now, Apple is looking to build a $972 million data center in Athenry, outside Dublin. It announced the plans two years ago, along with a sister location in Denmark.
According to networkworld.com, connectivity, taxes and government support are among the reasons Ireland makes for an attractive data center location. Another is renewable energy.
The website claims renewable energy is also one reason for Ireland’s shine. “EirGrid says potential data center power capacity could increase to 1,000 MW after 2019. Renewable energy — primarily from wind energy — is a key government priority and is targeting 40% by 2020, well beyond the EU mandatory benchmark of 16%. The proposed Apple data center would be powered 100% by renewable energy.”
Last year, Facebook signed a renewable supply agreement with Brookfield Renewable Energy Partners to supply wind power to its Clonee, County Meath, Ireland facility. The facility is under construction. The social media company also began construction on a data center in Denmark, which will be powered by 100% renewable energy and will also take advantage of Denmark’s naturally chilly climate to keep cooling requirements to a minimum.
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